At this year's D23 Expo, there's been a flurry of information coming out for Disney's slate of films.

There's already been news that Aladdin has cast two relative unknowns in the lead roles of Aladdin and Jasmine, footage has been shown of Avengers: Infinity War, there's also been some behind-the-scenes footage of The Last Jedi shown and, according to people on the ground at D23, some amazing footage for The Lion King live-action remake.

Apparently, Jon Favreau showed off the opening scene from the original - but recreated with the style and visual effects he's planning to put to use in his version. The crowd, not unsurprisingly, went nuts and that was all there was to say about The Lion King.

However, rumours have since started flying around about another announcement that was seemingly delayed for an unknown reason - namely, Hugh Jackman has been cast as Scar.

The rumour comes via Omega Underground and, to add weight to it, Jackman himself posted this yesterday.

However, a representative of Jackman has since spoke to The Wrap, saying there was "absolutely no truth" to the rumours - so it's really a question of who to believe. Let's not forget that PR people can very easily lie about stuff, and with something like The Lion King, they'll often deny until the very end.

Jackman has completed his tenure as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, so there's every possibility that he may be seeking a new franchise to hang his hat on. Not only that, Jackman is an accomplished singer and has a soft spot for musicals - so signing on to The Lion King, which will no doubt feature some of the music from the original, seems right up his alley.

He can get that grizzled voice down pat and is distinct enough from Jeremy Irons' original - so it all makes sense. The only thing that doesn't make sense is why Disney didn't announce Jackman officially and why his own representatives are denying it.

At any rate, expect official confirmation either way on this in the coming weeks.

 

Via Omega Underground